It's not often the topic of polite or even impolite conversation at cocktail parties or around the water cooler, but studies indicate that at least half of older women have some regular loss of bladder control, otherwise known as urinary incontinence. It's a condition that impacts everything from when they can work to how they can exercise. There are different types of incontinence, each with different approaches and diagnostic methods.

Stress incontinence is how the condition is described when you find yourself leaking when you jog, sneeze, cough or laugh. This is the most common from of incontinence in younger women. It is the result of weak muscles around the opening of the bladder, caused usually by childbirth, weight gain, pregnancy, or an injury.

Another form of the ailment is known as urge incontinence. This can be triggered by sudden spasms of the bladder muscles and may be the result of muscle damage, infection, stroke, or inflammation of the bladder. The urination is often brought on when sipping a drink or hearing the sound of running water.

Often times incontinence is not incontinence, but actually just an overactive bladder. It is possible to “hold it in” when dealing withthis affliction, but it is often just as inconvenient.

No form of incontinence is really dangerous per se, and the biggest lasting negative impact it has is usually psychological – incontinence sufferers can take a hit to their self-esteem, and it certainly doesn't help those who are already suffering from depression.

And that's unfortunate, because incontinence is often treatable. After your condition is diagnosed by your doctor (she'll likely utilize ultrasound imagery, a bladder stress test, or even an MRI to make her final evaluation) she may prescribe kegel exercises to strengthen weak pelvic muscles or medications.

A class of medicines known as anticholinergics are often used to combat incontinence. Distributed in the form of pills or patches, these actually block the nerves in the bladder muscles. Botox injections into the bladder muscle will relax it and allow it to hold more urine. These can last up to 8 or 9 months, but may be repeated.

Prevention is always the best medicine, and you can minimize the risk of becoming incontinent by doing kegel exercises daily. Talk to your doctor about a routine that would work best for you.